Bag closing machine



Sept. 23, 1941. M. A. NICOLAS I BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l -MarceZA INVENTQR jlcoza' BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 23, 1941 BAG CLOSING MACHINE Marcel A. Nicolas, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to Consolidated Packaging Machinery Corporation, Buffalo. N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 8, 1939, Serial No. 266,726

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to filled-bag closing devices and, more particularly, relates to an improved adhesive-applying means for use in such devices,

In the copending application Serial No. 150,907, filed June 29, 1937 by Luta L. Cundall, administratrix of the estate of Robert N. Cundall, deceased, there is disclosed a bag-closing device of one type to which the present invention maybe adapted. For the purposes of illustration, the present application shows the invention applied to the device disclosed in said copending application. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to application to the particular machine illustrated in said copending application but that the invention may be adapted for use in bag-closing devices of many types.

In the device disclosed in said copending application a filled bag, having the side walls of its unfilled mouth portion tucked inwardly and its front and rear walls collapsed upon the side walls, is conducted to a station in which the collapsed mouth is doubled upon itself. The bag is'then conducted. to a station in which the doubled mouth is folded down upon the top of the bag to form a closure. In this latter station adhesive is applied to the area of the bag top upon which the doubled mouth is to befolded.

means for applying the adhesive may comprise a fiat plate or a plate having ridges formed on its active surface and means to move the plate from a source of adhesive into .:contact with the bag top. There is also shown means for applying pressure to the plate and for drawing the plate under such pressure across the bag top for the application of adhesive. Since the plate therein shown is relatively inflexible difficulty has been encountered in securing application of an evenly distributed adhesive coating upon filled bags whose tops may be irregular or inclined to the horizontal especially when the material within the bag isof a relatively unyielding character.

This difliculty has been particularly noticeable in the packaging of sugar. Bags containing sugar are ordinarily subjected to: a vibratory settling operation prior to the closing operation and, if the upper surface of the settled sugar happens to be irregular or inclined, it cannot be leveled by the application of a reasonable amount of pressure.

Accordingly, it isan object of the present invention to provide an adhesive-applyingmecha- As shown in said copending application, the

over a predetermined area irrespective of irregularities or imperfections of level of the surface of such area. a u

It is a further object of this invention to provide adhesive-applying mechanism which will apply adhesive in uniformly distributed, relatively narrow stripes upon a predetermined area irrespective of irregularities or imperfections of level of the surface of such area.

Other and further objects of the invention will be set forth or will become apparent from a consideration of the following description'taken in connection with the drawings accompanying and forming apart of this specification.

" According to the present invention, the adhesive-applying plate, such as shown in said copending application, is replaced by a universally flexible, resilient plate'adapted to conform itself to such irregularities as are likely to occur in the upper surface of filled bags. More specifically, the flexible plate may be. made up of a plurality ofrela'tively narrow, closely spaced fingers indi These vidually flexible throughout their lengths. fingers are preferably resilient and so mounted as to: normally be Within a singleplane. Their flexibility permits them to be individually displacedlfrom such planei to accommodate any irregularities in. a surface against which the fingers may be pressed. g

Referring now to the drawings forming a part of this specification, there. is shown a preferred but not necessarily theonly form of the invention and showing oneform of bag-closing machine to which the invention may be adapted.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a partial sectional view of a bagclosing machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of an adhesive-applying device according to the present invention, this view being taken in a broken plane indicated by the lines 2'2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section along the 1ines3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmental views illustrating the function of the adhesive-applying device;

and

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are progressive diagrammatic viewsillustrating the operation of a bag-closing machine embodying the present invention.

Similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown the essential mechanism of a station in a bag-closing machine of the type disclosed and claimed in said copending application Serial No. 150,907,

nism which will uniformlydistribute adhesive filed June 29,- 1937 by Luta L. Cundall, adminiscrank l6, 18 about itsupivot l1.

tratrix'of the estate of Robert N. Cundall, deceased. Only sufficient details for the proper disclosure of the present invention are illustrated in said figure and reference is here made to said copending application for further details.

A filled bag lfi'is conducted through preliminary stations of the machine and to the station illustrated in Fig.1 by a conveyor (not shown) which is preferably intermittently operable in timed relation to the operation of the'machine whereby the bag may remain stationary during the operation of the station illustrated in Fig. 1. The preliminary stations may be utilized to'eife'ct collapsing of the bag mouth and, if preferred,

folding of the mouth upon itself into theposition illustratedin Fig. 6 in which the-free end II is folded downwardly toward the base of the upwardly extending mouth l2. -It-will be understood that suitable preliminary settling and shaping operations may be performed if so desirecli I i Thestation shown'in Fig. 1 comprises'an adhesive-applying head indicated generally.- at l3, a folding member indicated generally at [4 and suitable mechanisms for the operation thereof.

. The adhesive-applying head "i3 is pivoted at lit'othe upperarm 1:6 :of a bell crank lever pivoted at I! to the machine frame. The lower arm l8 of the bell crankile'ver is pivotal-1y connected as at 19 to'a link 20 which'carries a cam V roller 'rotatable' within' asuitable supply vat26.

The adhesive-applying head i3 "is adapted for movement about its pivot I5 in order that the head may' be'pressed into contact withlthez'bag Hi or with the'supply roller 25. I this .end a bell crank lever 27 is pivoted'up'on the pivot I7.

one arm 2 8 of the bell crank lever 2'!"is con- 'nectedby'a lin'k2'9 with the head 13. The other arm 3llofthe bel1 crank lever 2'! carries a roller (5| adapted to follow a "rotary cam :3 'driven in timed relation with theremainderof the machine by suitable means, not shown. A contractile spring '33 is stretched between a-suitable anchorage 34 on the main frame of the machine head 13 is maintained by a concentric portion of the cam 24. At this time the folding member [4 starts its movement across the bag to fold the mouth I I, I2 along the line established by the adhesive blade.

The folding member it comprises a guide channel 3'! into which the doubled bag mouth ll,, I2 is; introduced when the bag moves to the stationi illustrated in Fig. 1, and a pressing plate V which is shown at M, formed in the main frame 'and'a post 35 upon the arm 30 of bell crank lever '21. The spring 33 urges the lever 21' to rock in a clockwise-direction and thus "serves through the link 29 to dr awthe'headw down'-' wardl-y. The rotary cam fiz' -controls the-rocking ofQleVer'Z'! under the'influence'of spring 33'and suitable depressions, such as 36, will-permit the spring 33 to depress the head l3 atproper inte'rvalsb i As shown in F-ig. lithe headfl3 hasbeen advanced' into on tact with the bag H) and the follower 31 --has dropped into the depression- 36 whereby the 'head' l'3'is pressed downwardly upon the top-o-f the bag. The forward edge of the adhesive a plying blade is positioned along the li ne definingthe apex of'the angle between the plane'of the top of the bag contents andthe up standing mouth portion-l2. This position of the tain the pressing plate 38 above the level of the top of the contents of the bag Hi. The cross bar 52 j presents an inclined lower surface which is, adapted to slide oifthe end 44 of abutment d3 7 upon movement of'the folding member M to the left as viewed in Fig. '1. The member M is thus permitted to rock about 'its pivots G8 to a position limited by contact of the bodytli thereof with the abutment 43. 'This rocking movement is sufficient to permit the pressing plate 38 to drop into conta'ctwith the top of the bag. A suitable expansive spring 45 may be arranged upon a telescopic link 66 ivoted between the main frame andthe member 14 to insure downward movement'of the folding member when the same is moved to the left as discussed above. r

The folding member i4 is moved in suitable timed relationwith the remainder of the machine by a cam 47 carried by the shaft 23. The

foam ll operates a guided follower 28 which is,

connected'through a link 49, bell crank lever- 56 and link H with a suitable projection 52 formed uponthe member [4. Thus, upward movement of the follower 48 results in horizontal movement of'the member I l-to the left'as viewed in Fig. 1. The mechanism above described is so timed that the member l4 starts its movement to the left while the adhesive-applying head remains in the positionillustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring now to Figs. 6, 7 and '8, it'will be seen that Fig. 6 illustrates a'position wherein the head l3 ismoving toward the bag l8. This position is followed by the position illustrated in Fig.

-1. In Fig. 7 the member I lhas moved to the left and the cross bar 62 had dropped ofiof abutment 43 whereby the pressing plate 38 ispermitted to contact the top of the bag; As the movement of member I t continues between the positions illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8,v the adhesive-applying head it is withdrawn across the bag top. It is preferred that the head l3 shall continue to press downwardly on the bag top during its movement thereacross in order that adhesive may be distributed in advance of the folding of the bag mouth I l, l2. At a proper time the cam 32 operates to raise the adhesiveapplying head through the position illustrated in Fig. 8 to the dotted'line position l3 illustrated in Fig. 1. The folding member 54 continues its progress across thebag top to complete the folding of the bag n-iou-th an'd to press the same into contact with the adhesive deposited upon the bag top. The

l3 which thereafter moves.

final position of member I4 is illustrated in Fig. 8 and the member thereafter returns to'the position illustrated in Fig. 1.

All of the above mechanism and theoperation thereof is disclosed and claimed'in said copending application Serial No. 150,907, filed June 29, 1937, by Luta L. Cundall, administratrix of the estate of Robert N. Cundall, deceased, and forms no part, per se, of the present invention except insofar as it enters in combination with the novel features which will now be described.

It will be apparent from a consideration of the structure so far described that the tightness and efiiciency of the bag closure is dependent to a large degree upon a uniform and reliable distribution of adhesive to the bag top. According to the present invention the means which actually applies and distributes the adhesive has been especially devised to insure uniform and reliable distribution irrespective of irregularities of the g surface of the bag to which adhesive is to be applied.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, there is shown one form of adhesive-applying means embodying the desirable features of the present invention. As shown in said figures, the head l3 includes a cross bar or similar structural member 53. One end of this cross bar may conveniently serve for pivotal reception of the upper end of link 29 as shown in Fig. 1. there may be secured as by suitable bolts 5 an adhesive-distributing member 55 embodying the present invention. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the member 55 may comprise a plurality of separate fingers 56 made of thin spring metal or other suitable flexible resilient material. For convenience in manufacture and assembly, it is preferred to form the member 55 as a plate of suitable material having slots 51 cut therein at closely spaced intervals to form the fingers 56 al- 1 plying fingers 56 may be varied as desired. It

has been found advantageous to provide a relatively great number of narrow fingers 56 separated by slots 51 narrower than the fingers in order that the adhesive may be applied in the form of a plurality of closely spaced, relatively narrow stripes. This particular arrangement not only contributes to uniformity of adhesive distribution but also results in the formation of a sealed bag closure which may be opened with a minimum of damage to the bag walls.

The outer or active ends of the fingers 56 may be bent downwardly and curved slightly as indicated at 58 in Fig. 3. Such shaping of the fingers has been found to facilitate the conformation thereof to irregular bag tops.

The cross bar 53 may also carry a plate 59 whose outer edge 60 terminates just above the outer ends of the fingers 56. The edge 60 of plate 59 serves to tuck the downward portion i I of the bag mouth into the fold as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7. The outer extremities of the fingers 56 are preferably aligned in order that they may establish the fold line at the base of mouth l2 as discussed above.

The operation of the improved adhesive-distributing member 55 in connection with the machine herein illustrated will be readily understood. When the head l3 moves from the position l3 in Fig. 1 through the position in Fig. 6 and to the position of Fig. 7, the extremities of To the cross bar 53 fingers 56 will be-positioned in the apexof the angle between the plane of the top of the bag contents and the upstanding portion 12 of the bag mouth. The edge 60 of plate 59 will engage the free end ll of thebag mouth and move the same into the position shown in Fig. 7. Under control of cam 32, the spring 33 will serve to draw the fingers 56 downwardly to exert pressure upon the bag top and this pressure will continue as the fingers are moved acrossthebag top to apply adhesive thereto.

The action of the individually flexible fingers 56uponirregular of -inclined surfaces is illustrated-inFigs. 4 and5. In Fig. 4 certain of the fingers-are shown in contact with relatively high spots in the top of a bag I I0. Continued downward pressure-upon the adhesive-applying head will result in flexin of these fingers to allow the remainder of the fingers to be pressed into contact with relatively low spots in the bag top. As the fingers are drawn across the bag top, they will-adjust themselves for continuous individual engagement with thebag'material and will thus serve touniformly distribute adhesive theneover. In Fig. '5 a bag 2 I'll is illustrated wherein the top of the contents has-assumed a position inclined relative to thehorizontal. As illustrated in this figure, the fingers 56 will progressively engage the bag top and will be differentially flexed whereby all of said fingers-may ultimately be pressedinto-engagement therewith. In each of Figs. 4 and 5 a true level is indicated by the line L. It will be understood that the showing 'in these figures is exaggerated and is presented merely for'illustration. l

It will be apparent from the above description that there is provided a structurewhich attains the objects of the invention. While for purposes of compliance with the patent statutes a detailed description of such structure has been made, it is obvious that modifications and variations may be resorted to by those skilled in the art and it is, therefore, to be understood that such description shall be taken in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense and that the scope of the invention shall be limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for closing filled bags; a row of adhesive carrying fingers and means to press said fingers against the surface of a filled bag whereby to apply spaced relatively narrow stripes of adhesive to such surface, said fingers being flexible and resilient whereby to permit the several fingers to conform to any irregularities of such surface; and means to form a closure by folding a portion of said bag into contact with said surface.

2. In a machine for closing filled bags; a row of adhesive carrying fingers and means to press said fingers against the surface of a filled bag whereby to apply spaced, relatively narrow stripes of adhesive to such surface, said fingers being flexible and resilient whereby to permit the several fingers to conform to any irregularities of such surface; means to cause relative movement between said fingers and said surface while said fingers are pressed thereagainst for spreading the adhesive thus applied; and means to form a closure by folding a portion of said bag into contact with said surface.

3. In a device for applying adhesive to irregular surfaces of filled bags, a series of aligned fingers adapted to carry adhesive to and to make contact with such surfaces, said fingers being flexible and resilient'wvhereby to permit the :several fingers to conform to the "irregularitiesof said surfacesj V 7 7 2 -4 Adev-ice for applyin Spaced relatively nar-' row stripes of adhesive to irregular surfaces of filled bags and comprising an aligned series of spaced relatively-narrow fingers adapted to carry adhesive to and-be pressed into contact with such surfaces, each-of said fingers-being flexible and resilient whereby the several fingers may con- 7 form to the irregularities of such surfaces when pressed there-against; i

- 5. In a device for applying adhesive to irregular surfaces of filled bags; a series of aligned fingers adapted to carry adhesive to and to make contact with such surfaces, said fingers being flexible and resilient whereby to permit the several fingers to conform .to the irregularities of said surfaces; and means-effective to move said fingers through a predetermined path of travel'whereby the applied adhesive will be evenly spread;

' fi A- device for applying spaced, relativelynarrow stripes cf-a-dhesiveto irregular surfaces of fil-leclhags comprising an aligned series of spaced,

relativelynarrow fingers adapted to carry ad hesive to and be pressed into -;contact with such surfaces, .each of said fingers beingflexible and resilient whereby; theseveral fingers may conform to the irregularities of v such surfaces when pressed thereagainst; and means effective to move said fingers through a predetermined path of I travel whereby the applied adhesive will be evenly spread. a v

r "7. In a machine for closing filled bags having the side walls of the unfilled; upwardly extending mouth portion tucked inwardly and having transfer adhesive from said source to'a portion of the bagoverlying the top of the contents thereof, said means comprising a fiexibleresi lient plate having a plurality of spaced slots extending inwardly from one edge thereof to form adhesivecarrying fingers whose extremities are defined by said edge; means to move said fingers from said source of adhesive into operative position relative to said bag; means to press said fingers upon-the top of the bagwith the extremities thereof lying at the apex of the angle between the top of the bag contents and the upwardly extending collapsed mouth; means toinitiate folding of said mouth along the line established by said finger extremities; means to move said fingers across the top of said bag while said fingers continue to press thereagainst whereby to cause each of' surface for spreading the adhesive thus applied,-

and means to form a closure by folding a portion of said bag into contact with said surface.

9- In a machine for closing filled bags, means conformable to a surface of a filled bag for applying spaced, 'relativelyna-rrow stripes of ad:

. hesive thereto andcomprisingxa row of adhesivethe front and rear walls thereof collapsed-upon v the top ofthe contents and upon said inwardly tucked side waus to form a flattened upwardly extending mouth: a sourceof adhesive; means to carrying fingers; means effective to move said fingers through a predetermined path'of travel whereby the applied adhesive will be evenly spread, and means to form a closure by folding a portion of said bag into contact with said surface.

MARCEL A; NICOLAS. 

